Best Infant Car Seats of 2023
You’ll be buying a lot of stuff for your new baby, and if you’ve gone down the Google rabbit hole that is searching for “essential baby gear”, you’ve likely encountered the extensive and exhaustive landscape of infant car seats. In the case of car seats, they actually are essential—you and your new addition won’t be leaving the hospital without one.
Given the number of car seats on the market, the amount of information available for consumption, and the added pressure of genuine safety concerns, it’s easy for any parent to feel stumped. That’s why we’ve put together our list for best infant car seats of 2023: To empower you to make the right choice for your family without overwhelming you with unnecessary info (because no parent’s got time for that).
Albee Baby’s Infant Car Seat Picks
Our infant car seat picks are the perfect balance of tried-and-true parent favorites and innovative standouts we love.
Best All Around Infant Car Seat
Nuna PIPA RX Lightweight Infant Car Seat + RELX Base with Load Leg
The Albee’s rundown:
- Lightweight, 7.5 lbs
- Tons of extra safety features
- Easy to install
The Nuna PIPA RX is easy on the eyes, thoughtfully designed, and packed with top-notch safety features. Its 5-second True Lock safety system uses colored indicators that turn from red to green to ensure you’ve gotten a secure installation. The PIPA RX has extra side impact protection and comes with the new RELX base, which includes several safety-focused upgrades to the original PIPA base. In addition to the load leg, the RELX base has steel-reinforced rigid LATCH connectors, an anti-rebound plate, a bigger lock-off for belt installations, and a four-position recline.
The PIPA RX is GREENGUARD Gold Certified, PFA free, and is made with naturally flame retardant-free fabrics containing zero flame retardant chemicals. The PIPA has a unique oversized canopy called the “Dream Drape” that affords your baby full coverage from the sun and other outdoor elements.
If you want to use a travel system, the PIPA RX is compatible with many of our most popular stroller brands. And seat belt installation is a breeze if you’re a city dweller who uses taxis or rideshares.
Noteworthy specs:
- 4 to 32 lbs and up to 32”
- Weighs 7.5 lbs
Best Infant Car Seat with Foolproof Installation
UPPAbaby MESA Max Infant Car Seat
The Albee’s rundown:
- Easy to install and know that it’s installed correctly
- Attaches directly to the UPPAbaby Vista and Cruz without adaptors
- Limited lifetime warranty
UPPAbaby has introduced an upgraded version of the MESA —called the MESA Max—that sports a ton of bonus safety features and baby-friendly details. The new MESA Max base has an anti-rebound+ panel for increased safety in rear-impact collisions, and a load leg that limits forward rotation in a frontal crash, reducing the potential for head and neck injuries. The seat itself has an improved XL sun canopy (43% more coverage!), infinite adjustable headrest, and European belt path for quick and intuitive base-free installations.
As always, UPPAbaby really has taken the guesswork out of car seat installation. The MESA Max has self-retracting LATCH connectors that are similar to seat belts. Once connected to your vehicle’s anchors, simply push the base towards the back of the car seat—you’ll hear a satisfying ratchet sound—and press your weight on the base until you hear a click. A tightness indicator turns green when the base is secure, and voila, you have an incredibly tight install.
The MESA Max also attaches directly to the Vista and Cruz without the additional purchase of adaptors, and has a one push button release for a struggle-free removal (and uninterrupted naps).
If you have plans to expand your family, it’s helpful to know which infant car seat brands offer extended warranties, and UPPAbaby offers the most generous warranty on the market with a limited lifetime warranty on all car seats.
Noteworthy specs:
- 4 to 35 lbs. and up to 32”
- Weighs 9.9 lbs.
Best Infant Car Seat for 3-Across
The Albee’s rundown:
- Loaded with extra safety features
- Eco-friendly fabrics and recyclable
- Slim profile
Not only does the Clek Liing look modern and—dare we say—gorgeous, but it’s also Consumer Reports and the NHTSA’s highest rated car seat. The Liing base has a load leg and a seven position recline, so not only is it easy to ensure that your newborn is reclining at an optimal angle, it’s also easy to get a super tight install in a wide variety of vehicles. And if you need to travel light, the Liing has a European belt path that makes seat belt installs on the go a no-brainer.
The Clek Liing has two merino fabric options, and all other Liing fabric choices are free of chlorinated and brominated flame retardants. Clek prioritizes making eco-friendly choices throughout its manufacturing process and beyond. To that end, Clek has partnered with Car Seat Recycling to safely and sustainably recycle your car seat right here in the US.
If you have a compact car or will be using your infant car seat in a vehicle with sibling car seats, the Liing has a slim profile and is an especially good option if you need to do 3 seats across.
Noteworthy specs:
- 4 to 35 lbs. and up to 32”
- Weighs 9 lbs.
Best Affordable Infant Car Seat
Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 Infant Car Seat
The Albee’s rundown:
- Budget friendly
- Easy to install
- Bonus safety features you may not expect
The Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 is affordable, extremely safe, and incredibly easy to install. Installation is a quick 3 step process—you’ll hear a loud CLICK signaling a secure install—and the base has a bubble indicator to let you know your car seat is reclining at the right angle for your baby. The SnugRide SnugLock 35 consistently ranks as one of Consumer Reports Top 5 infant car seats, so don’t let the price tag trick you into thinking you’re not getting a great seat..
While you may not get mega luxe fabrics or some other bells and whistles, it does have several safety features you may not expect to find in a car seat that’s under $175: a 4 position recline, a European belt path, and extra side impact protection.
Noteworthy specs:
- 4 to 35 lbs. and up to 32”
- Weighs 14.8 lbs
Best Travel System On-the-Go
The Albee’s rundown:
- Infant car seat and stroller hybrid
- Ideal for city living and traveling
- Two baby gear essentials in one
The Doona is a unique baby gear hybrid that transforms from car seat to stroller with the quick click of a button (and back again). It’s an instant travel system in a single product that simplifies life on the go with your family. If you want to cut down on the amount of gear you’re hauling around when away from home, there’s really no other product quite like it.
And this baby gear innovation doesn’t sacrifice safety, either. The Doona has double walls that add extra side impact protection, a handlebar that doubles as an anti-rebound bar, and fail-safe mechanisms that ensure safe usage and operation.
If you do plan to use the Doona as your everyday stroller, it’s worth noting that its wheels perform best on smooth surfaces like city sidewalks, and it doesn’t have any built-in storage (but does have a snap-on accessory storage bag you can purchase separately).
Noteworthy specs:
- 4 to 35 lbs. and up to 32”
- Weighs 14.3 lbs.
Best Rotating Infant Car Seat
The Albee’s rundown:
- Ideal for newborns and low birth weight babies
- 360° rotation
- Part of a modular stroller system
Orbit Baby launched in 2004 and helped create the luxury stroller market in the US—their innovative SmartHub technology allowed their car seat to rotate 360° on its base, and it could be paired with an Orbit stroller for use as a travel system.
Orbit recently relaunched in the US, and now their G5 infant car seat is the only rotating infant car seat on the market. The G5 “docks” into the SmartHub base from any angle and rotates 360°. It’s compatible with all 3 of Orbit’s strollers for use as a travel system, a feature totally unique to this brand.
The G5 infant car seat has a deep cradle design for maximum side impact protection, and the SmartHub base is made from aerospace-grade aluminum for added security. You won’t break a sweat installing this car seat: thread the belt through a lock-off and buckle, then twist the StrongArm knob until you achieve a tight fit (it’s really that easy).
The full-coverage UV sunshade has an extension for extra protection (and uninterrupted naps), and the fabrics are soft and breathable. A low birth weight fit kit is included to improve the harness fit on extra tiny newborns.
It’s worth mentioning that the G5 is heavy for an infant car seat—something to consider if you’ll be using the seat in multiple vehicles or with the stroller and have back or mobility issues.
Noteworthy specs:
- Weighs 13.8 lbs.
- Rear-facing 4-30 lbs and 19-32”
- 2 year warranty
Best Featherweight Infant Car Seat
Nuna PIPA Lite RX Lightweight Infant Car Seat + RELX Base with Load Leg
The Albee’s rundown:
- Super lightweight, just 6.9 lbs
- Bonus safety features
- Easy to install
For new parents testing infant car seats in person, the heft of any car seat model may come as a surprise, and that’s before your baby is buckled in. If you have mobility issues, move your seat between cars frequently, or have grandparents participating in caretaking a super lightweight model is where it’s at.
Weighing just 6.9 lbs, the Nuna PIPA Lite RX packs all the bells and whistles you’d expect in one good-looking lightweight package. Color-coded LATCH connectors and intuitive belt paths mean a quick and foolproof installation, even if you’re rushing into the back of a cab. The RELX base has a steel load leg for extra stability and four recline options for proper seat positioning.
More standout features include Aeroflex foam that provides extra side impact protection, an oversized canopy that quietly attaches with magnets, and a no-rethread harness that makes adjusting the headrest hassle-free.
Noteworthy specs:
- 4 to 32 lbs and up to 32”
- Weighs 6.9 lbs
Best Budget Friendly Infant Car Seat
Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat
The Albee’s rundown:
- Longtime parent fave
- Easy to install
- Slim profile
The Chicco KeyFit 30 is a longtime parent favorite, and has been at the top of Consumer Reports best infant car seats list for years. And with a wallet friendly price point, convenient one-handed tightening for LATCH installations, and excellent safety ratings, it’s easy to understand why. It also has a narrow base, so it’s ideal for compact cars or parents of multiples.
If you live in a city and frequently use taxis or rideshares, it’s worth noting that installing the KeyFit30 without its base can be challenging, so keep that in mind.
Noteworthy specs:
- 4 to 30 lbs. and up to 30”
- Weighs 9.6 lbs.
Best Infant Car Seat with Innovative Safety Technology
Cybex Cloud G Lux SensorSafe Comfort Extend Reclining Infant Car Seat
The Albee’s rundown:
- Alerts caregivers to potentially unsafe usage
- Reclines flat outside of the car
- Bonus safety features
The Cybex Cloud G Lux sports extra safety features you may be familiar with, like a load leg and telescoping side impact protection, but also has integrated safety technology that will alert you to potentially unsafe usage. SensorSafe 2.0 technology will alert both the vehicle and caregiver via phone alerts if your baby has been accidentally left in the car, if the vehicle has become too hot or too cold, or if your child has managed to unbuckle themselves while the car is moving.
We are learning more and more about the relationship between proper recline angle and respiratory health in young babies, and because of that, experts warn against using car seats for more than a few hours at a time. The Cloud G Lux offers an innovative solution: It reclines flat outside of the car, even when used as part of a travel system. While in the car, newborns are positioned in a full recline thanks to an infant insert.
Noteworthy specs:
- 4 to 35 lbs. and up to 32”
- Weighs 12 lbs.
Best Infant Car Seat New Kid On The Block
Britax Willow S Infant Car Seat
The Albee’s rundown:
- ClickTight technology
- RightSize adjustments
- Narrow profile
The Willow S is the next-generation infant car seat from Britax: It’s their only rear-facing infant car seat with ClickTight technology, so you’re guaranteed a secure install on the first ride and beyond. The Alpine base features a ReboundReduce anti-rebound bar that minimizes movement in a crash, increases stability, and affords extra protection during a collision.
The RightSize system provides innovative adjustment points at the hips, shoulders, and between the legs for a perfect fit, customized to your baby’s size. The Willow S has naturally flame retardant free SafeWash fabrics that are machine washable for easy clean up and extra cushioning that protects sensitive skin. And if you’re cruising with multiple kids, it’s narrow and ideal for three-across.
If you want to use a travel system, the Willow S is currently compatible with the Britax Brook+ stroller.
Noteworthy specs:
- 4 to 30 lbs and up to 32”
- Weighs 9 lbs.
Best Infant Car Seat with Reclining Seat
Agio Primo Viaggio 4-35 Lounge Reclining Infant Car Seat
The Albee’s rundown:
- Loaded with extra safety features
- Reclines flat outside of the car
- 5 year warranty
The Agio Primo Viaggio 4-35 Lounge is manufactured in Italy by Peg Perego, and is part of their specialty line that features posher fabrics and extended warranties. The Lounge includes the Nido base, which has tons of extra safety features including a load leg, anti-rebound bar, and kinetic pods that diffuse impact energy away from your baby in the event of a side-impact collision.
The Agio has a backrest that fully reclines outside of the car, and an extending leg rest, so your baby can lie almost flat, similarly to a bassinet, even when attached to a stroller. Babies are born with very little muscle development at the core and in the neck, and reclining at a flatter angle makes it less likely for their chin to drop forward, restricting the airway.
And if you’re a parent who expects to be on-the-go a lot, the convenience of packing one less bulky thing, like a pack-n-play or travel crib, is awesome.
Noteworthy specs:
- 4 to 35 lbs and up to 32”
- Weighs 12 lbs.
Best Infant Car Seat for Keeping Cool
Maxi-Cosi Mico Luxe+ Infant Car Seat
The Albee’s rundown:
- ClimaFlow technology
- PureCosi FR free fabrics
- Luxe ergonomic grip
If you’re expecting a summer baby, or just live in a warm climate, keep your baby cool in the Mico Lux+. The shell incorporates ClimaFlow technology for maximum airflow, and a ventilated canopy ensures comfy riding with plenty of shade. The PureCosi fabrics are made without wool or added flame retardants—better for the planet, and better for you little one.
An ergonomic vegan leather handle is contoured to curve around your hip and makes moving from car to car convenient and struggle-free. Plush padding on the infant insert keeps your newborn cozy and secure. The MaxiLock base and self-tightening LATCH system achieves a snug (and intuitive) install in seconds, and the load leg provides added protection in the event of a collision.
Noteworthy specs:
- 4 to 30 lbs and up to 32”
- Weighs 18.7 lbs.
Finding What’s Right for You
Albee Baby is the oldest family-owned specialty baby shop in the US, and we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best assortment of baby products anywhere, at fair prices, always. We’re committed to being an inclusive resource for parents, and hope you’re feeling empowered to find the right car seat for your family. Still have questions? Feel free to contact our baby gear experts at 877.692.5233 or by email at [email protected].